Ali Mohammed Omar

Radio Warsan

February 16, 2007, in Baidoa, Somalia

Omar, a 25-year-old radio journalist and technician, was gunned down by three unknown assailants as he walked home in the southern town of Baidoa, local journalists and the National Union of Somali Journalists reported.

The assailants told Omar to stop, but he refused and attempted to run away, according to witnesses who spoke with local journalists. Witnesses said the gunmen shot Omar in the head and took his mobile phone, according to local journalists. The slaying was reported at around 8:30 p.m.

Omar worked for independent Radio Warsan and was a member of the southern chapter of the National Union of Somali Journalists. Radio Warsan, which had been closed by the government in January, had resumed broadcasting just days before the killing.

Motive Unconfirmed: CPJ is investigating to determine whether the death was work-related.